The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

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Song of the Day: Stella By Starlight

The song of the day for Tuesday, October 3, 2023, is “Stella By Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella by Starlight” was written by Victor Young and Ned Washington and was introduced in the 1944 film The Uninvited. The song was recorded in 1947 by Harry James and Frank Sinatra; it has been frequently recorded ever since. It found its way as a jazz standard in the early 1950s, with recordings by Stan Getz, Bud Powell and Stan Kenton. It ranks as the 10th most important jazz title at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella By Starlight” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. The song, as well as the entire album, was arranged and conducted by Ralph Burns.

“Stella By Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings, is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Wednesday, March 8, 2023, is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was by Victor Young and Ned Washington in 1949 for a widely-panned film of the same name, based on a J.D. Salinger short story. Time magazine excoriated the score: “nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the soundtrack.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “My Foolish Heart” in June 1975 for their first album The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: My Foolish Heart

The song of the day for Wednesday, November 2, 2022, is “My Foolish Heart.”

About This Song

“My Foolish Heart” was written in 1949 by Victor Young and Ned Washington for a widely-panned film of the same name, based on a J.D. Salinger short story. Time magazine excoriated the score: “nothing offsets the blight of such tear-splashed excesses as the bloop-bleep-bloop of a sentimental ballad on the soundtrack.”

About This Version

Tony Bennett and Bill Evans recorded “My Foolish Heart” in June 1975 for The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album.

“My Foolish Heart,” as well as The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: On Green Dolphin Street

The song of the day for Thursday, September 15, 2022, is “On Green Dolphin Street.”

About This Song

“On Green Dolphin Street” was written by Bronislaw Kaper and Ned Washington in 1947 for the film of the same name. While the song was not widely hailed at the time, it soon became popular with jazz musicians and has become a jazz standard (ranking #25 on jazz standards.com), especially after Miles Davis’ 1958 recording.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “On Green Dolphin Street” on March 26, 1964, with the Ralph Sharon Trio (Sharon on piano; Hal Gaylord on bass; and Billy Exiner on drums for the album When Lights Are Low. It was arranged by Ralph Sharon.

“On Green Dolphin Street,” as well as When Lights Are Low is available on Apple Music.

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Song of the Day: Stella by Starlight

The song of the day for Thursday, August 18, 2022, is “Stella by Starlight.”

About This Song

“Stella by Starlight” was written in 1944 by Victor Young for the 1944 film The Uninvited; the lyrics by Ned Washington were added in 1946. The song was recorded in 1947 by Harry James and Frank Sinatra; it has been frequently recorded ever since. It became a jazz standard in the early 1950s, with recordings by Stan Getz, Bud Powell, and Stan Kenton. It ranks as the 10th most important jazz title at jazzstandards.com.

About This Version

Tony Bennett recorded “Stella by Starlight” on April 6, 1961, for his album My Heart Sings. Ralph Burns wrote the arrangement.

“Stella by Starlight,” as well as My Heart Sings is available on Apple Music.

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